WORKSHOP OUTLINE
Neighborhood Cats
TNR Handbook page(s)
I. Blue Folder (5 min)
II. Introduction to Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) (15 min)
A. What is TNR?
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B. The Advantages of TNR
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Population control (no more kittens; gradual reduction in #’s)
Reduced noise (from fighting and mating)
Reduced odor (from unaltered males spraying)
Less roaming & visibility
Continued rodent control
Improved community relations – less hostility to cats & caretakers
C. No Effective Alternatives
1. Trap and remove doesn’t work because:
 Vacuum effect (new feral cats move in)
 Untrapped cats in colony continue to breed
 Abandonment of domestic cats
 Not enough animal control and volunteer resources
2. Stop feeding – cats don’t go away, still reproduce
III.
Establishing Good Community Relations (15 min)
The importance of good relations – facilitates the project, educates
the neighborhood, and helps provide long-term security for the cats
9-12
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Repeat the mantra: No kittens, less noise, less smell, rodent control
A. How to achieve good community relations:
Educate yourself on TNR so you can speak proficiently
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11-13
www.neighborhoodcats.org (Neighborhood Cats)
www.alleycat.org (Alley Cat Allies)
link to brochures and tools: (http://www.alleycat.org/page.aspx?pid=468)
www.nycferalcat.org (NYC Feral Cat Initiative)
SIFI (Staten Island Feral Initiative): www.siferalinitiative.org
B. Dealing with hostility towards the cats
 Be understanding (the neighbors are living with the noise & odor)
 never argue - be professional in your approach
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rev. 1-14
Neighborhood Cats
TNR Handbook page(s)
C. Keeping cats out of gardens and yards
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D. Dealing with Poisoning threats - post flyers (see sample)
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http://www.neighborhoodcats.org/RESOURCES_ADVOCACY_MATERIALS
DVD (30 min)
IV.
How to use the trap (10 min)
(cardboard extender, sheet to cover)
39-42
Break (15 min)
V. PLAN PLAN PLAN Your Project (35 min)
51-53
A. Get to know the colony (VERY IMPORTANT)
 Establish a feeding schedule: same time, same location daily.
 Count the cats (take notes, photos).
 Use trap log
 Find out who else is feeding
 Attempt to secure permission of property owner whenever possible
B. Find a holding space (needed 5-7 days)
 must be warm, dry and secure
52.53
C. Schedule a spay/neuter date
a) ASPCA Stationary Spay/Neuter Clinic (SSNC) (see Local Resources, p. 3-4)
b) Other spay/neuter programs:
Toby Project, Humane Society, NC clinic (see Local Resources, p. 5)
E. Reserve traps (see Local Resources p. 7)
 Make sure to get dividers, check that traps work.
F. Arrange transportation to and from clinic and/or trap bank
No vehicle: Mayor’s Alliance for NYC Animals can help
need a couple of weeks notice. Contact: transport@animalalliancenyc.org
VI.
The Trapping Process (10 min)
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70-80
Withhold food the day before starting to trap
Begin trapping 3 days before spay/neuter date (check weather)
Use more than one kind of bait (sardines, mackerel, Fancy Feast)
Place all or most traps out into the territory at once along or against structures
Traps should be level
Make a trail leading into trap with juice from bait
Stand back, be quiet and keep a low profile (not hovering)
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Neighborhood Cats
TNR Handbook page(s)
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Cover & remove trapped cats
Put a new trap where an old trap worked (hot spots)
Label and log cats in traps (see sample log)
Bottle technique to selectively trap a single cat or kittens
Trap to trap transfer
Hard to Catch Cats – drop trap and other methods REVIEW HANDBOOK
81
91-95
VII. Caring for Cats In Traps (5 min)
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104-108
NEVER attempt to re-capture a cat with your hands
(see Local Resources p. 13)
108
VIII. Special cases: What to do? (20 min)
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IX.
114-117
Kittens, Friendly, sick, pregnant, nursing
FIV/FELV testing
120-124
Register your colonies and eartipped cats and ACC (5 min)
NYC Feral Cat Database – JOIN AT www.nycferaldata.org/signup
(see Local Resources p. 11)
X. The Spay/Neuter day (15 min)
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76-83
Withhold food by midnight the night before for adults.
Kittens (less than 5 months old) should eat small meal around 2am.
Traps must be clean – no food or water. Thin layer of newspaper allowed.
Make sure traps are labeled with name, phone #, description of cat.
Bring cats in on time – varies by location.
Complete paperwork – 1 form per cat (this can be done ahead of time)
Discuss any concerns with veterinary staff at intake
Sick/minor injuries – discuss with veterinary staff whether illness is treatable
(bite wound, abscess etc). Hold the cat until well. See Feral Cat Setup.
70
If illness is terminal, discuss whether euthanasia is appropriate.
Pick up cats same day at designated time (varies by location).
Confirm the correct cat in the trap and that trap door is locked.
Cat must be awake – do not take home an unconscious cat!
Ask when the cats can eat
Kittens should be fed as soon as possible
All cats/kittens should be given ½ of a regular amount and then feed again in about 1 hour
Note: ASPCA shaves both males and females and tattoos with small green line.
XI.
Recovery/Return (15 min)
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125-126
48 hrs males, 48- 72 hrs females, longer if sick, was pregnant (4-5 days), etc.
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Neighborhood Cats
TNR Handbook page(s)
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Nursing mothers (lactating) can be released after 24 - 36 hrs, if no post-op complications
Warning signs (ie. bleeding, lethargy, inappetence)
Look at spay scar
For ASPCA see post-surgery instructions.
Post Operative Emergency line (24hrs): please call 877-SPAY-NYC (877-772-9692)
English press 1 > TNR/Rescue press 2 > Post-Op press 4.
For all other clinics contact them directly.
Return to same location trapped
Relocation (not recommended), only as last resort
127-130
XII. Food and Water (10 min)
28
Location Location Location (ideal: low visibility, easy access for caretakers)
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Feeding stations: Types: depends on where & what property owner will allow.
Automatic feeders/waters if feeding regularly is a problem and there are no raccoons, rodents.
Helpful Tips
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ants and slugs - moat in a dish
rain - plastic cover over dish
fences - arm extenders
pigeons – feed cats after dark; raccoons – feed cats during day
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Preventing Water and Food from Freezing
Type of food and supplements (the best you can comfortably afford)
(good website: www.catinfo.org)
34-36
37-40
CLEAN UP!!!! Number one complaint against caretakers. Don’t Overfeed!
XIII. Winter Shelter (10min)
44-50
Important to have warm, dry, winter shelter
 Types: Styrofoam, storage bins, meat and fish packing crates, etc.
 Dry is as important as warm
 Insulating materials – use straw.
 Extreme cold – Mylar blankets to line floor, walls; PurrPads
For more information:
www.nycferalcat.org/info-colony.php#winter
www.neighborhoodcats.org/HOW_TO_FERAL_CAT_WINTER_SHELTER
XIV. NYC Ferals Yahoo discussion group
to join, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NYCferalcats (see Local Resources p. 11)
XV. Quiz (5 min)
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